Ex. N.Y. Attorney General's Office Social and Environmental Justice

This course is co-taught by Lindsay McKenzie.

Monica Wagner, Lecturers-in-Law (2 graded academic and 3 ungraded clinical credits)

The Externship on Advancing Social and Environmental Justice in the New York State Attorney General's Office will be comprised of (a) a weekly, two-hour seminar focused on the authority and role of the New York State Attorney General in enforcing laws relating to social and environmental justice, including environmental protection, civil rights, labor, and other laws that protect health and welfare; and (b) fifteen hours per week of fieldwork (five of which may be conducted off site) in one of the bureaus of the New York Attorney General's Social Justice Division. Students will receive five credits total, two graded academic credits for the seminar and three ungraded credits for the fieldwork component. The seminar will be graded on weekly class participation, class presentations and simulations, periodic short reflection papers on readings and fieldwork, and a final paper. The course will be limited to approximately ten students to facilitate active engagement and discussion. The course will be open to JD candidates. There are no prerequisites.

The Social Justice Division enforces laws relating to social justice and environmental protection by (1) undertaking legal analysis of under-enforced areas of the law and identifying the bases of the Attorney General's authority to enforce these legal requirements; (2) investigating suspected illegal conduct; and (3) litigating cases brought by the Attorney General and by and against state regulatory agencies. Through the seminar and fieldwork, students will become familiar with the role and authority of the New York State Attorney General and the means by which the Social Justice Division advances the public interest.